Chapter 6 A Line We Shouldn't Cross

Elaria's POV

Huh..., the air practically crackles between Rowan and me. It's like we're both holding our breath, waiting for something to explode. Okay, so there's a storm outside, big deal. The real fireworks are happening inside my head. My heart? It's beating like a drum solo against my ribs, keeping beat with all the crazy feelings swirling around. Dude, he's way too close. No, he's not touching me, but I can feel this pull, like some weird magnetic thing.

Ugh, I should bail. Just spin around, act like I don't see him looking all intense like he's trying to burn my face into his memory or something, like I'm going to vanish into thin air. But my feet are glued to the floor. I'm stuck, like there's some crazy force field holding me hostage.

Rowan lets out this sharp breath, and his hands sort of clench and unclench at his sides. You're hesitating, he says, his voice low. That's not your style.

I can't help but scoff, lifting my chin a little. And you think you know me so well now, is it?

A tiny smirk plays on his lips, real slow and confident. I know what I see. And right now, I see someone standing at the edge of a cliff, wondering whether will she fly or fall.

Seriously? A choice? As if I even have one.

All the stuff I'm responsible for slams down on me—a million voices in my head chattering away. I'm the Alpha Queen. I need to be strong. I need to block whatever weirdness is going on between us.

And then bam, my body goes traitor on me. My breath hitches when Rowan steps even closer. His smell—like a bonfire and something wild—fills my lungs, and I hate how much I want it. I hate how he makes me feel like I could crumble into a million pieces or burst into flames at any second.

Tell me to go, Rowan breathes, his voice rough, like gravel. Just say it, Elaria, and I'm out.

I open my mouth but zip! Nothing comes out, just air.

Instead, I whirl around, desperate to get some space before I do something I'm going to seriously regret later. I hear him sigh, and it's not just a frustrated sound. There's something deeper there. A kind of danger.

We can't do this, I mutter.

Rowan doesn't push. He doesn't chase me. He just lets me go. And honestly, that freaks me out more than anything else.

You could cut the tension in the council room with a knife. It is that thick.

The elders are sitting there like statues, their silence louder than if they were yelling. My fingers grip the arms of my chair as I get ready for the grilling session.

Lord Cassius finally breaks the silence, putting his hands flat on the black table. The attacks on the villages? They're getting worse.

I nod, trying to keep my face a blank slate. I know.

But you're not doing anything, Lady Merivale says, her voice dripping ice.

I clench my teeth. We're in the middle of digging up new information. Rushing in the blind isn't going anywhere.

Cassius scoffs again. While you sit around and wait, Alpha Queen, more of our people are disappearing into the wild.

Anger flares in my gut. Sending soldiers out all willy-nilly without a plan is just plain dumb. We need to—

People are losing faith in your leadership.

Ouch. Those words sting. I force myself to stay put, fighting so they don't see how much that hurts. Then I'll remind them why I'm the darn Queen.

Cassius stares me down for a long moment before finally nodding. You do that.

The meeting wraps up, but their words keep replaying in my mind. Doubt starts creeping in at the edges of my confidence. Am I doing enough? Am I failing everyone?

Rough one?

Rowan's voice startles me.

He's leaning against the wall in the hall, arms crossed, his eyes locked on mine.

I snort out a laugh. You have no idea.

He watches me closely. You're keeping stuff bottled up.

I roll my eyes. That's your usual line.

Only 'cause it's true.

I don't say anything; I know he's right.

I turn to leave, but Rowan matches my steps. You can't handle that on your own, Elaria.

I give him a look. I don't have a choice, do I?

He stops me, his hand closing around my wrist. His touch seems to burn right through my skin, heat flooding my veins.

There's always a choice, he says. His voice is low now. You just have to be brave enough to take it.

Something in his voice makes my throat tighten. But before I can even answer, a scream echoes through the halls.

We both spin around to see a guard stumbling toward us, his uniform covered in blood, his eyes wide with complete terror.

They're here, he gasps, before collapsing at our feet.

My heart starts trying to break free.

Rowan's face turns grim.

And, then, I know—any hint of peace we had is gone.

The air is thick with a heavy silence, the weight of our fears is like a dense fog.

"I need you to trust me," Rowan says, his voice low, almost pleading with me to have faith in him.

My pulse hammers against my ribs. Trust is like handling a dangerous weapon. Why should I?

His fingers linger near mine, close enough for me to feel his warmth. Everything we thought was true, is about to get tossed out of the window.

I feel a chill slithering down my spine. Ouchy secrets. Old lies. My whole life has been built on them, and now it feels like the world beneath me is cracking apart.

I'm about to demand some real answers, sounds from the trees come from outside. Every atom in my entire body stands up and ready.

Rowan tenses next to me. We are not the only ones here.

The wind shifts and a smell I have never smelled before comes over-- a smell that makes my inner wolf wake up. My skin prickles from fear like goosebumps as my senses get intense.

Then what comes in from the blackness - low, rumbling growl cutting through the night completely.

Man, we went right into the trap.